Surname Schaeffeler - Meaning and Origin

Schaeffeler: What does the surname Schaeffeler mean?

The last name Schaeffeler is of German origin, derived from the personal name Schaefeler and deriving from the Middle High German word "schaf" meaning "sheep". This name was likely an occupational surname for a shepherd, as shepherds were an important part of the agricultural economy in rural Germany.

The surname was likely first used by members of Germanic tribes who inhabited the region of modern-day Germany in the medieval era. This name likely spread with the migration of these tribes throughout Europe during the Middle Ages.

Today people with the surname Schaeffeler live in Europe, especially in German speaking countries, as well as in the United States and Australia. These people come from diverse backgrounds and have interests that range from business to the arts.

The Schaeffeler family is still proud of their German heritage and some retain the ancient tradition of sheep herding. While the traditional meaning of the surname remains an important part of family's history, the true meaning of the name is much more than just a symbol of their roots; the Schaeffeler family also represents a strong sense of community and loyalty, which has been passed down through generations.

Schaeffeler: Where does the name Schaeffeler come from?

The last name Schaeffeler is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States today. According to Ancestry's last name origin database, Schaeffeler is a German and Swiss surname, and primarily a spelling variant of Schäffeler. It is thought to have first appeared in the thirteenth century, when the surname's bearer was a sheep shepherd. Thus, the name Schaeffeler is derived from the Middle High German word "tnshaven," meaning "shepherd."

In Germany and Switzerland, there are still a significant number of families with the last name Schaeffeler living there today. This is likely due to the fact that it is still predominantly a German and Swiss surname.

In the United States, Schaeffeler is still a relatively uncommon last name, but its notable presence is due to American immigrants who came from Germany and Switzerland in the nineteenth century. Immigrants from these countries typically brought their surnames with them, making Schaeffeler a recognizable name in the United States today.

Whether in Germany, Switzerland, or the United States, Schaeffeler is a last name that has been around for centuries and still has a presence in modern times. With its origins in shepherds and immigrants, the last name Schaeffeler is a reminder of the long and varied history of the people who bear it.

Variations of the surname Schaeffeler

Schaefeller (also spelled Schäfeller, Schaeffeler, Schäffeler, Schaefeler, Schäfeler, Schaeffler, Schäffler, Schaefler, Schäfler, Schaphler, Schapheller) is a surname of German origin. It may have emerged from the German word schäfel meaning "sheep shear" and is most commonly found in southern Germany. It is thought to have originated from an occupational name, as it likely referred to someone who sheared sheep for a living.

Variations of the name Schaeffeler can also be spelled as Schaecker, Shafer, Schaeffler, Schaeffoler, Schaeffer, Shaffer, or Schaeffer.

In some instances, the surname Schaeffeler may also be found spelled as Schafuler, Schäfuler, Schafeler, Schäfeler, and Schaefoler. These variations of the name are likely derived from the Spanish-Jewish surname Schaveler, which literally translates to a "shepherd" and has a similar occupational origin to Schaeffeler.

Similar surnames derived from the same occupational origin include Schaeffermeier, Schaeffner, Schaepper, Schaepman, Schaeppell, Schaffermeier, Shaeffer, Schaffner, Schoffner, and Schaffer.

Ultimately, the variations of the surname Schaeffeler are evidence of how this name became adapted over time as it moved across Europe and the diaspora. Given the long history of the surname and its various spellings, it is likely there are many people around the world today that share the same origin from the surname Schaeffeler.

Famous people with the name Schaeffeler

• Nick Schaeffeler: He is a musician from Germany, best known for his collaborations with the band Milky Chance.
• Bernie Schaeffler: He is an award-winning German film editor.
• Trudy Schaeffeler-Gebhardt: She is a German figure skater and coach.
• Johann Schaeffeler: He is a German artist and sculptor.
• Jan Schaeffeler: He is a Swiss-American soccer player.
• Florian Schaeffeler: He is a German theater director and playwright.
• Angelina Schaeffeler: She was a German figure skater.
• Annika Schaeffeler: She is a German swimmer and Olympic medalist.
• Johann Baptist Schaeffeler: He was a German teacher and book collector.
• Fritz Schaeffeler: He was a German Bishop of Augsburg.
• Martin Schaeffeler: He was a German organist and music publisher.
• Enoch Schaeffeler: He was a Swiss Protestant military officer.
• Patrick Schaeffeler: He is a German football defender who plays for SSV Ulm 1846.
• Helmut Schaeffeler: He was a German refugee and businessman.
• Fritz Schaeffeler Jr.: He was a German priest and a member of the Schaeffeler family.
• Julian Schaeffeler: He is a German football midfielder who plays for FC Augsburg.
• Andreas Schaeffeler: He is a German sprint canoer and Olympic medalist.
• Gebhard Schaeffeler: He is a German composer and musicologist.

Other surnames

SchaefferSchaefferer